Federer thrills on Centre Court

Roger Federer thrilled Centre Court with an outrageous lob as he moved effortlessly into the third round of Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory over American Sam Querrey.

The highlight of a one-sided match was the audacious shot executed by the Swiss from behind his own baseline, slipping the racket between his legs to direct the ball over the head of the stranded Querrey.

“It’s rare that those shots happen so when they do you have to pull them off. If you don’t win the point you do look a little bit silly,” Federer said.

“It was the perfect shot, I even had a little bit of time which allowed me to get into position. It just felt like I had time.”

Federer remains on course to become the first man in history to win eight Wimbledon titles, but far tougher challenges await in the draw than outclassed world number 36 Querrey.

“I’m very happy with the way I’ve played in the first two matches so far,” Federer said.

“I’ve been playing well this season and have had a good run. There’s a little relief that I’m actually playing well here at Wimbledon as well.

“I had to work hard, Sam’s a good player. The first set was tough and he was serving well and I didn’t know how long he’d keep that up for.”

It took until the ninth game of the first set for Federer to break, although having raced into a 40-0 lead he then had to set up a fourth break point that he converted with a pinpoint backhand.

A similar shot did for Querrey as the second set got underway, although this time Federer dispatched the ball on the volley, making a classy stroke appear simple.

When Querrey sent a drop-shot wide, Federer had the break and in the seventh he struck again courtesy of his audacious lob, a lucky forehand that clipped the net and a wayward serve by his opponent.

Once again Federer pounced in the opening game of a set, breaking Querrey with ease to all but end the American’s hopes of completing a first victory over a top 10 opponent at a Grand Slam, and the end arrived quickly.